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THE 



BOOK OF REVELATIO! 



ITS PURPOSE AND STRUCTURE 



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BY 



REV. G. J. SCHILLING 



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NEW YORK 

PRINTED BY HUNT & EATON 

1892 



Copyright, 1892, by HUNT <t EATON, New York 



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THE BOOK OF REVELATION. 



EIGHTEEN centuries have passed since, by divine inspiration, 
that book was written which is placed as the last in the canon 
of Holy Scripture. Since then it has been translated into 
eighty-four languages ; it is, with the other books of the Bible, in the 
homes of millions of people ; it has been expounded and commented 
upon by innumerable exegetes. Yet the marvelous fact remains that 
it is the most obscure, most neglected, most misunderstood and 
misrepresented of all books, secular or divine, of equal circulation. 
The opinion has spread all over Christendom that this book cannot be 
understood, that some man by the name of John wrote it, that it con- 
tains a series of fanciful and incoherent pictures or dreams. A great 
many people cannot see how the book ever got into the Bible at all. 

It is not to be denied that there are one or two minor points in its 
text which are not as clear as others, but to say, therefore, that the 
whole book cannot be understood, that there is no comfort for the 
humble and simple-minded Christian to be derived from it, is going 
altogether too far. A simple exposition, taking in the whole range of 
the book, especially showing the connections between the different 
parts of the heavenly vision, may be helpful in clearing away some of 
these misapprehensions or preoccupations. 

We often forget that the books of the New Testament are largely 
epistles written to single persons or churches. We are therefore 
liable to overlook the condition of the writer, his purpose in writing, 
the time and position of the parties addressed. But these are most 
important questions, and a careful inspection regarding them is of 
great bearing upon the interpretation of this book. The author makes 
himself known to us first as " John to the seven churches which are in 
Asia ; " then as " I, John, who also am your brother and companion in 
tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in 
the isle that is called Pattnos." Who else but John the apostle could 



4 THE BOOK OF REVELATION. 

have written the first Bbort statement I Who was John of Asia Minor ? 
If ir had been another hut the apostle, as, for instance, John the 
Presbyter, as has hern suggested, would he likely have omitted to 
make himself more fully known than lie did ( *We think not. Tradi- 
tion, moreover, always held that St. John was exiled to Patmos. That 
agrees with the second statement. Further, there is one internal 
evidence which would have suggested to us the author of the Gospel 
according to St. John as the author of this letter, had we even no 
name attached to the hook at all. In Rev. xix, 13, while the writer views 
the victorious Lord clothed with the garments of redemption, he calls 
him "The Word of God;' Who else but the writer of "In the 
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the "Word 
was God " is likely to call his Lord by that name ? And now the 
occasion of the letter. St. John was banished to Patmos for the 
faithful preaching of the Gospel. The churches were under per- 
secution — it matters little whether under Nero or Domitian. Chris- 
tianity was in great danger. What will become of it ? is the question 
of the Church. Is it unnatural to suppose that he who had lain on 
the bosom of the Lord, who had seen him ascending into heaven, who 
was then, perhaps, the only survivor of the apostles, would commune 
with his Lord in earnest prayer, asking, pleading, entreating to be 
shown somehow in what manner all this strife would end? The 
immediate occasion of this letter, therefore, was persecution, exile, and 
prayer for sustaining grace. And the prayer was answered. Not only 
did St. John derive comfort from the answer, but he was commanded 
to write all he saw to the churches among which he had labored with 

great devotion. And as the Christians in Asia, when they received 
this letter, must have rejoiced and taken comfort, so may we, for in 
many respects are we to-day in the same position as were our brethren 
in those churches. 

Many have been the attempts to interpret the book on an historic 
basis, but one reflection alone, we think, will suffice to show the fallacy 
of such a proceeding. AVe turn to Dr. Adam Clarke. He seems to 
get on well at the outset, but soon becomes exceedingly fanciful. He 
sees in every flying eagle an historic person, in every trumpet sound 
an actual occurrence. This leads him to make the seven heads in 
Rev. xvii, 9, the "seven electorates of the German Empire," and an angel 
flying through the heavens becomes " the British and Foreign Bible 
Society," and the like. But, we ask, does it stand to reason that our 
Lord, when he wants to speak peace to the troubled hearts in Patmos,. 



THE BOOK OF REVELATION 5 

Ephesus, or Smyrna, in the year A. I). 96, would send them a message 
which they could not understand or about which they could not even 
conjecture I The book must have been, and undoubtedly was, plain to 
the first readers. We must find a corresponding interpretation, and 

only from such can we derive any com fort at present. 

In the following treatment we purposely omit all details, and con- 
line ourselves simply to the action of the book. 

The first chapter contains the statement of St. John's position and 
the command to write down in a circular letter to his churches in Asia 
Minor the vision which he was about to receive. The second and third 
chapters are tilled with personal addresses to the; pastors of the afore- 
named churches. In these they are recommended for the good that i< 
in them, rebuked for their sins, upheld by a promise, and exhorted to 
immediate repentance and perseverance. 

With the fourth chapter begins the second part of the vision, the 
great and beautiful series of pictures given to impart encouragement 
to the Church in all ages. First, we are introduced to the main figures 
in the heavenly abode, seeing them as in a beautiful panorama. In 
the center is a throne, and on it sits the Deity in such a splendor as to 
shine like "a jasper and a sardine stone." As in a Jewish court, so here 
a number of elders surround the throne ; yet they are not any more in 
the attire of Judaism, but in the robes of the redeemed — the patriarchs 
of old and the apostles of Christ all saved by the same Jesus. At 
the four corners of the platform upon which the throne is elevated 
we see the four cherubs, the representatives of God's natural forces, 
with faces symbolizing strength, steady workmanship, intelligence, and 
swift execution. Ever watchful, with eyes all about them, they are 
ready to obey their Lord at his bidding. John looks closer and sees 
in the divine hand a book. This scroll contained what he had asked 
for, the record of the Church of God. How his heart must have been 
beating, his joy have been elevated ! He was to see it, What would 
it be? But nearest joy lies often discouragement. Xo one is found 
worthy to open the record ; no, not one, in heaven or earth or hades. 
But who is this I Not long did John ask that question, for presently he 
sees clearly the Lamb slain from the foundation of tlie world. Christ 
steps forward, takes the roll, which is perfectly sealed with seven seals, 
and begins to open one wax after the other. John understood the 
meaning of this symbolical process. At the breaking of each seal he 
would see another step toward the end, until, after the opening of the 
last, the whole future would lie plainly before him. Let us follow him, 



C THE HOOK OP REVELATION. 

then, as lie receives his revelation. The first seal falls. A white horse 
passes the stage of his vision. Did John not know what that meant? 
Of course he did. White is the color of victory. Thank God for that 
blessed assurance! The second seal is broken, and we learn that it 
will not be an easy victory; blood must flow and slaughter be endured, 
for red is the color of this horse. Still darker turn the shades of the 
picture, for famine and all manner of death do follow, as we plamlv 
see from the color of the horses which appear after the opening of the 
third and fourth seals. And now a picture very different from the 
preceding presents itself as the fifth seal breaks. The redeemed who 
look upon the struggle give utterance to their impatience. " How 
long," do they cry, " how long must this go on ? " But God's mercy 
is much broader than the patience of the saints. His time has not 
yet come. "Wait," resounds the answer, "wait and murmur not." 
With this the next seal falls, and still more convulsions and revolu- 
tions are brought to our vision. Soon we are to see the end ; our 
expectation is very great, but there is a significant interlude before we 
are permitted to see the seventh seal opened. God marks for himself 
all those of all ages and of every nation who have been true to him, 
so that they will be recognized and spared at the final consummation. 
And now the last seal is removed. Nothing stirs. Another minute 
passes by. Nothing new appears. O, what hours must those next 
thirty minutes have been to John, as he waited, waited, waited, for 
" there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour !" Pres- 
ently the picture changes. Seven angels are seen, and trumpets are 
given to them which they blow in turn. And, as they sound, pictures 
of destruction develop resembling the plagues brought upon Egypt in 
the times of Moses. Some seem to strike nature, others men ; John 
understood it all. The times of war and pestilence, persecution and 
opposition to Christianity, were not to come in one single cycle of 
events; they had to be repeated ; they would not come once, but again 
and again. And between the sounds of the sixth and seventh trumpets 
we meet again with some interludes. They are apparently laid in to 
bring into prominence some minor points which possibly might have 
escaped John's or our attention. The blast of the final trumpet has 
gone forth and we are ready to see the action progress, prepared to gaze 
at the features peculiar to the last events of time. Yet we are detained 
again. The chapters xii and xiii give us, in an independent side 
circle, a view of God's Church of the past, and even some anticipatory 
glimpses of the end. The seven distinctive pictures are as follows : 



THE BOOK OF REVELATION. 7 

1. The Mother ; or, the Jewish Church. 

2. The Dragon ; or, Satan the Adversary. 

3. The Child ; or, the Christian Church. 

4. Michael Fights ; or, Satan Cast out of Heaven. 

5. Two Beasts ; or, the Temporal and the Spiritual Antichristian 
Powers. 

6. Mount Zion ; or, the Saints on Safe Ground. 

7. Babylon's Fall ; or, the Wickedness of the World Destroyed. 

Between the sixth and seventh pictures we have a small side view 
assuring us that the Gospel never ceases to be preached. But we 
must for a moment tarry at the fifth picture in this cycle, to correct 
one common and serious mistake. The current opinion is that the 
thirteenth chapter is a proclamation against Rome. This is true only 
in a very limited sense. The picture shows us no doubt the Romish 
temporal, and the Romish heathen, sacerdotal powers ; but, mark you, 
only as a type of any worldly temporal and heathen force. This is a 
law in prophecy everywhere. The doom w T as sure as to Borne, of 
course, but it is just as sure as to Buddhism and Brahminism of to-day. 
These predictions, or visions, point to Borne as a type in the same 
manner as Babylon here means not that veritable city — for that had 
fallen long ago — but the cause for which it stands, that is, wickedness. 
So we are still anxious to see the end, but must wait until we have 
once more learned the lesson of repetition, when we see the seven 
vials poured out upon the world, and until we have further gazed upon 
a thorough explanation of the figure of Babylon used in the preceding 
chapters. 

Seven distinct pictures disclose to us the consummation. The first 
is a picture of peace. Would to God that those in our days, who 
always cry that the Church is falling to pieces, could see this with us. 
Christ stands on the holy ground of Mount Zion, surrounded by an 
innumerable multitude of worshiping saints who, with the elders, are 
jubilant in praise and adoration. That does not look like defeat. No I 
We take courage, though yet in bonds here below, and we will press on 
to meet those who await us yonder. O, for a brush to paint the next 
scene ! The progressing Bedeemer rides upon his white horse against 
the beast — the false temporal powers of this world — and the false 
prophet — the false religions — and as he draws his sword, victory is 
with him. His enemies are taken captive and thrown into the bot- 
tomless pit, to be powerless forever and ever. But one is still alive — 



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THE BOOK OF REVELATION. 



Satan, " that old serpent." What of him? Bound with unbreakable 
chains, he is cast into the same prison until, in God's providence, and 
for a short time only, he must be loosed again. In the meantime 
the martyrs are permitted a special privilege. They are judged, and 
enjoy with Christ the long period of Ills undisturbed reign. And 
well may St. John exclaim, " Blessed and holy is he that hath part 
in the first resurrection." Satan's last chance comes. He is once 
more freed to deceive the people, and O, how sad is the result ! 
Were they not all true to Jesus ? Kay, for the human heart is of 
its own nature inclined to evil, and that continually. One summons 
of the adversary, and he draws an army "the number of whom is 
as the sand of the sea." But, thanks be to God, that the Lord takes 
now himself the lead of his cause against the rebels, for " fire 
came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And 
the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and 
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be 
tormented day and night forever and ever." There we leave Satan, 
and turn to our fellow-men. For them the great moment is at hand. 
The world vanishes ; everyone, living or dead, is called before the 
throne. God's memory is as infallible as if the facts of each man's 
life had been written in a book and laid before him. And they 
were judged, every man, " according to their works." Dies tree, dits 
ilia ! And, consequently, since there remains no more chance to sin, 
the penalty of sin, death, becomes of no avail and is cast into the lake of 
fire also. But this is not the last impression God desires to leave in the 
mind of his Church. A refreshing scene of heaven — not the terrors 
of hell — greets our wondering eyes. We need not attempt to picture 
it here, the record is open to all. 

One word in conclusion. Can you wonder that after such a match- 
less revelation of the truth of final victory, St. John bursts out in one 
of the most sublime invitations to join the advancing army ? What 
matters pain ? What matters banishment ? What matters martyrdom, 
in view of the palm and the robe and the crown ? Listen : " And 
the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, 
Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let 
him take the water of life freely." 

Is there no connection and no comfort in this book ? 



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